Prepare for a high school teaching career
Learning enriches you. That’s why you pursued your bachelor’s degree in the first place. You now seek to share that excitement with others as a high school teacher. To prepare for a rewarding classroom career or to pivot from an industry to instructional role, earn an online graduate certificate in secondary school teaching from the University of Missouri-St. Louis’s Teach in 12 program.
Your passion exists in the details of science or history — or a love of the written word propelled you toward English literature. You also recall engaged instructors during your high school years who went above and beyond lesson plans with real-world relevance, projects that stoked your curiosity and involvement igniting change in your community. If you see yourself as a guide for future generations of learners, this graduate certificate program prepares you to obtain Department of Education/Secondary Education (DESE) Missouri Initial Professional Teacher Certification in your respective content area through a mix of fully online courses and in-person practicum assignments at a Studio School.
Talk to an advisor about completing the Missouri Content Assessment in the appropriate content area.
Change lives
This certificate further stands upon the College of Education’s mission. We don’t just graduate instructors — we develop educators whose influence extends beyond the classroom. We see our students both as instruments of change and individuals who purposefully uplift others through meaningful learning experiences emphasizing practical applications and integrating technology. Our faculty of driven education researchers and practitioners will illuminate your path through this journey.
Program type:
Graduate certificate
Format:
100% Online
Take the next step
Secondary School Teaching Graduate Certificate
This online graduate certificate in secondary school teaching is a post-baccalaureate program designed to transform you. Building off your bachelor’s degree, this accelerated program trains you to positively impact the lives of your students, their families and their community in both formal and informal settings.
The online graduate certificate in secondary school teaching consists of 36 credit hours.
Course work is blended, some campus visits are required. Courses are held online. Internships are completed in-person for teacher certification that meets the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements.
Whether to prepare for this career or change fields, the online graduate certificate in secondary school teaching:
- Trains you to improve student outcomes and develop more enhanced learning experiences
- Touches on effectively incorporating technology into the classroom
- Helps you create more authentic learning experiences based on your content area
- Instructs you in developing, implementing and evaluating curriculum based on both state standards and learning science principles
- Stresses the importance of educational and social growth through connection, including with students, your colleagues and the surrounding community
- Presents methods for designing an inclusive and respectful learning environment that strengthens students’ intellectual, social and personal development
- Explores creating instructional and assessment opportunities designed to improve critical-thinking, problem-solving and performance in all students
Students enrolled in this program may pursue:
- DESE English (Grades 9–12) Certification
- DESE Foreign Language/Spanish (Grades K–12) Certification
- DESE Foreign Language/French (Grades K–12) Certification
- DESE Biology (Grades 9–12) Certification
- DESE Chemistry (Grades 9–12) Certification
- DESE Physics (Grades 9–12) Certification
- DESE Social Science (Grades 9–12) Certification
- DESE Physical Education (Grades K–12) Certification
- DESE Art Education (Grades K–12) Certification
Upon completing this online graduate certificate, you will receive a DESE Missouri Initial Professional Teacher Certification in your content area if you meet all state requirements.
Plan of study
Non-Missouri Residents: Prospective students are responsible for reviewing the UMSL state authorizations page to see if this program is offered in their state throughout their program and to review the licensure or certification requirements for the state in which they reside.
